Woman dragged through intersection in apparent road rage incident

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - A woman was grabbed by the arm and dragged through an intersection before being run over Thursday night, according to St. Petersburg police.

"She was messed up," said Justin Trudeau, a witness. "I was afraid that he ran her over and killed her."

The incident occurred around 10 p.m. when the 39-year-old victim, whose name was not released, noticed that she was being tailgated by a pickup truck.

The driver of the pickup, described as a white male between 30 and 40 years old, began honking his horn before pulling in front of the woman and slamming on his brakes, causing her to stop abruptly.

"They were driving, he was speeding up and slowing down, slamming on the breaks, just to make her mad," Trudeau recalled.

The woman followed the truck to Fourth Avenue South and Fourth Street, where both vehicles stopped for a red light. She got out and walked to the truck to ask the driver about what had happened.

Trudeau said he witnessed the woman push the man in the truck.

"She got out of the car, went to say something and it looked like she tried pushing him or something," Trudeau said.

The truck driver reached out and grabbed her by the arm and accelerated through the red light, dragging her for about 50 feet before he let go.

"He was going about 25 mph," Trudeau added.

The woman fell down and her right arm was run over by the truck.

Trudeau, a military veteran, rushed to help. He said he held the woman's arm upright to control the bleeding.

"She hit the ground pretty hard," Trudeau explained.

She was taken to Bayfront Medical Center with severe injuries. According to St. Pete Police spokesperson Mike Puetz, the woman's arm was fractured in several places and she suffered a separated shoulder. He says it is likely she will have to undergo surgery.

The woman's dog was in her car when this happened. Police say the dog is now with her friend.

The suspect's vehicle is described as an older model beige or silver Toyota Tacoma and was last seen getting onto westbound I-175 at Fourth Street South.

Police are asking for the public's help. Anyone who may have information should call the non-emergency number at 727-893-7780, text a tip to 727-420-8911 or leave a confidential tip at 727-892-5000.

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